Arsenal can expect no injury sympathy from one Premier League title rival, he has made that clear already this season

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If Arsenal are to win a trophy this season it would go down as one of their greatest achievements given their current injury crisis.

Arsenal are going to have to find a way to cope with the injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli added to the long term injuries of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.

Mikel Arteta will use different option to replace Havertz in his attacking line up but may have to change the way he sets his team up in terms of formation and personnel.

Arteta will be hoping former mentor David Moyes can do him a favour by defeating Liverpool in the upcoming Merseyside Derby but the Gunners can be sure of getting no sympathy from one rival defender about their current injury state.

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Virgil Van Dijk hit out at Arsenal injury problems after clash at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal drew 2-2 with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium back in October 2024 and Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk disagreed with suggestions that Arsenal deserved a point because of their injury problems.

As per The Irish Times, Van Dijk stated after the game: “We can keep speaking about them missing players and players going out [during the game] but it’s part of football, I think we also missed certain players.”

The Liverpool captain went to explain that the physical element of the game is part of the game and that injuries can be no excuse for any side.

Van Dijk explained: “Yeah well, you know, it’s a physical game. These things happen. I think if you watch the battles that we have during the games anyway, it goes both ways. That’s part and parcel of the game. That’s it.”

Liverpool have kept Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah fit all season and that will be the difference

Liverpool’s charge to the Premier League title has been aided by the fact that their two most important players Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have been fit and available all season to the club.

Arguably, Arsenal’s two most important players in Saka and Martin Odegaard have both spent a large chunk of the season with injury and it will now cost the side in the race for glory.

Not only have Arsenal lost key players but have also lost players at the same time in the same position, they struggled with injuries to full backs at the start of the campaign and now face the same issue in attack.

Pundits and fans will point to squad depth and Arsenal’s failure in the January window cannot be argued but to win a Premier League title you need an element of luck – that unfortunately has alluded Arteta and his side this season.